October 7, 2026 — Meliá Hotels International has added Residenza del Cardinale in Milan to its boutique label, The Meliá Collection. The 28-room hotel occupies a restored 13th-century palace in the city’s 5 Vie district.
Meliá announced the hotel on October 7 and gives the opening as October 2026. An exact opening day has not been published, so treat it as TBA until the hotel confirms.
The building stands a short walk from the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana. The hotel’s name honors Cardinal Federico Borromeo, who founded that gallery in 1618. Progetto CMR and Studio Simonetti led the restoration, which kept the historic structure and improved its energy efficiency.
What is on site
- Rooms: 28 rooms and suites, including three rooftop penthouses with private terraces.
- Dining: Nocciola Restaurant & Bar, led by Piedmontese chef Carlo Zarri. It seats 40 indoors and 16 in the courtyard. The menu centers on Piedmont: truffles, Fassona beef and Barolo wines.
- Outdoor space: an inner courtyard with a terrace.
It is Meliá’s third hotel in Milan, after Palazzo Cordusio Gran Meliá and ME Milan Il Duca.
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Property | Residenza del Cardinale |
| Brand / parent | The Meliá Collection / Meliá Hotels International |
| Location | 5 Vie district, Milan, Italy |
| Opening | October 2026 (exact day TBA) |
| Rooms | 28, including 3 penthouses |
| Airports | Milan Linate (LIN) and Milan Malpensa (MXP) |
What it means for airline travelers
- Two airports serve Milan. Malpensa (MXP) handles most long-haul flights. Linate (LIN) is the close-in city airport for European flights.
- Confirm the opening day before you book. Meliá has only said October 2026. Check that the hotel is taking guests for your dates.
- It is very small. With 28 rooms, it will sell out on busy Milan dates such as fashion weeks and trade fairs. Last-minute standby trips may find nothing available.
- MeliáRewards should apply. The Meliá Collection is a Meliá brand. No airline-employee or travel-industry rate was published in the announcement.
- Central location. The 5 Vie district is in Milan’s historic center, so you can walk to the main sights.
Sources
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